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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch Select and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$22 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
heat 6/7 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle at a lower price point.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).